Triple murder involving Kevin Cleeves may be death penalty case

District Attorney Matthew Fogal decided to file aggravating circumstances to later seek the death penalty against Cleeves.

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By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 8:00 AM

By Denise Bonura/The Record Herald

Posted Nov. 17, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Family members of three murder victims stood behind District Attorney Matthew Fogal Friday morning in support of the his decision to file aggravating circumstances to later seek the death penalty against the Waynesboro man accused of killing them this summer.

Fogal announced at an 11 a.m. press conference in the jury assembly room of the Franklin County Courthouse that he filed paperwork citing four aggravating circumstances against Kevin Matthew Cleeves, 35, in the July shooting deaths of his estranged wife Brandi (Killingsworth) Cleeves, 25, her boyfriend Vincent L. “Luke” Santucci Jr., 28, and Santucci’s mother, Rosemary Linda Holma, 55, outside of Holma’s Anthony Highway home in Quincy Township.

Cleeves also has been charged with kidnapping his 4-year-old daughter, Leia Cleeves, after the shootings. Leia was one of the family members at the brief press conference.

Aggravating circumstances

“There are four aggravating circumstances cited in this case,” Fogal said.

“First, the defendant committed each killing while in the perpetration of a felony. The specific felonies alleged are kidnapping and the other charged murders in this case, which are all additional charges Cleeves faces in this matter.

“The defendant also knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person in addition to the victim of each murder, who was his minor daughter Leia Cleeves,” Fogal continued.

He said the third and fourth circumstances pertain to the state’s multiple murder doctrine.

Cleeves’ mandatory arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in Franklin County Court. He remains held without bond in Franklin County Prison.

“The families of the victims are supportive of the DA’s decision to seek the death penalty against Kevin Cleeves,” Fogal read from a prepared statement from the families. “It is not possible to put into words the hurt and suffering the defendant has brought upon us.”

The statement also said the lives of many, including mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents, have been changed forever.

July shootings

Kevin Cleeves allegedly went to Holma’s home the evening of July 27, 2012, to confront Brandi Cleeves about Leia. He told police she was not returning his phone calls to arrange for him to pick his daughter up for a scheduled visit.

Around 9 p.m., Cleeves encountered Santucci, who was in a car with Brandi and Leia Cleeves. When Santucci told Cleeves to leave, Cleeves allegedly shot him. Brandi Cleeves then got out of the car, and Kevin Cleeves shot her, too. Holma was shot after she ran out of the house to help her son.

Cleeves then fled the area with Leia. Police arrested him early the next day in Austintown, Ohio. Cleeves later told police he had been on his way to Michigan so Leia could stay with one of his relatives.

Page 2 of 2 - Kevin and Brandi Cleeves had each filed paperwork in Franklin County Court earlier that month indicating their desire to seek custody of Leia.

Brandi Cleeves alleged she fled the home to protect herself from Kevin Cleeves’ drinking and sometimes abusive behavior. Kevin Cleeves told the court he would provide a more stable home for his daughter.